I Favor The Villainess Chapter 106

Reconciliation of interests

"It's been a long time, Claire. I'm happy to meet you again"

The former Prime Minister of the Bauer Kingdom, Salas Lilium said so with a faint smile.
This is the encampment of the revolutionary government.
Claire-sama and I came here to reconcile the interests of the revolutionary and provisional governments.
Claire-sama isn't really a representative of the provisional government, but she is Dor-sama's daughter.
Additionally, Claire-sama is in the limelight.
Neither provisionary nor revolutionary governments can ignore her.

"Let bygones be bygones. I hope our conference will bear fruit"
"…"

Salas wanted to shake hands with Claire-sama.
Claire-sama accepted, albeit with a stiff expression.
Behind Salas lined up are soldiers of the revolutionary government, with his private soldiers playing the leading role, Lily-sama's figure is also among them.
We can't do anything careless.
Arla and Irvine seem absent.
Likely, Salas is managing it by himself thanks to the practical experience in politics.

"What are the demands of the revolutionary government?"

Claire-sama began talking abruptly.

"You're immediately moving forward with the talk, aren't you? This sort of negotiations should start with laying the groundwork?"
"It is not like we are not ware of the scope of each other's powers, right? It is better if we begin the talks quickly"

Sparks scattered between the two of them already.
Salas has an overwhelming advantage in these negotiations.
Even if Claire-sama came in contact with politics as the daughter of Minister of Finance, the opponent is Salas, who stood at the forefront of politics of the whole country.
There was a danger she'd be cornered in a political exchange such as this.
Claire-sama putting it straightforwardly is for the sake of not handling over the initiative.

"Well, alright. Our requests are simple. Abolish aristocracy and provide commoners sovereignty"
"!"

That means to overturn the very foundation of this country.

"Is the demand of people not the restoration of monarchy?"
"At first it was. But, then the people noticed. It is the opportunity to take part in politics themselves"

This is also the goal of the commoners' movement ideals.
I found it ironic that the commoners' movement stemming from His Majesty Rousseau's meritocratic policy has reached the point of taking sovereignty from the Royal Family.

"Do you think such demands will be accepted?"
"If they aren't accepted, we will force them to be. No matter what it takes"

Salas implicitly said he's prepared for an armed uprising.

"The provisional government has the army?"
"We have the numbers. We also have the just cause"
"Are you saying you will have people die for the just cause?"
"I am not saying that, after all it will be the army that is killing the people"

Actually, people of the Naa Empire are mixed in the revolutionary army.
Soldiers of n.o.bles Claire-sama cracked down on seem to have also joined in.
In addition, the number of commoners is overwhelming.
Some of them will be able to use magic to a certain extent.
The power of the revolutionary army cannot be underestimated.

Moreover, there is a sentiment of not wanting to point a blade at the people among a part of the army of the provisional government.
For them people are something they must always protect.
To attack what they should protect, it undermines the meaning of the army's existence.
There's no way Salas is unaware of that fact.

"Salas. Is your aim not something different?"
"That means?"
"The revolution for the sake of people is just the means. You just want to obtain the highest authority, right?"

Salas kept an unruffled expression being subjected to Claire's censure.

"Even supposing that is the case, the fact that this revolution is for benefit of the people doesn't change. a.s.suming I obtain the top position in the new administration as the result of a revolution, that'll only be the interpretation based on hindsight"

Of course, it's sophistry, but at present it's difficult to tear down his argument.

"Please inform Dor-sama. Throw away the greed and please hand over politics for the sake of people"

"Ludicrous. The criminal is getting carried away"

We moved to the parliament building.
Claire-sama, carrying the demands of the revolutionary government, is meeting with the leaders of the provisional government.
Above words is the line Dor-sama said upon hearing the demands.

"It is the conceit of commoners who misunderstood His Majesty's kindness"
"Exactly. We must make commoners realize that"

The leaders of the provisional government unanimously disparaged the revolutionary government.
There are no figures of n.o.bles who think of the people there, only of n.o.bles who govern over the people while looking down on them.

"But Father. The revolutionary government received support from the people. If they were attacked unilaterally, us n.o.bles would lose our just cause"
"What are you saying. Us n.o.bles are the justice. The support of the people doesn't make the cause just"

Dor-sama turned a deaf ear even to Claire-sama's words.

"Father! In the first place the existence of the provisional government is strange. Sovereignty over the kingdom belongs to the Royal Family. Why are you governing while disregarding them?"
"Of course, we have no intention of continuing this state forever, Claire"

Dor-sama continued in a tone like he was explaining something to a disobedient child.

"However, Sein-sama is still young. To overcome this difficult situation, we n.o.bles have no choice but to help"
"Then, first of all crown Sein-sama and elect the Prime Minister from the members of the House of Lords!"
"Claire, there's no spare time for that. The eruption of Sa.s.sal Volcano and the commoners' rebellion… Those demand urgent attention"
"Father…"

Claire-sama must understand too.
Everything Dor-sama is saying is only for appearances' sake.
They have no intention of letting go of political power.

"But, how is the provisional government intending to respond?"
"Demand immediate suspension of demonstrations and dissolution of the revolutionary government"
"No way… If you do not compromise a little, there will be conflict!?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. It's our true intention to not hurt people, but we will not avoid it for the sake of restoring the order"

Other present n.o.bles also nodded to Dor-sama's words.
Claire-sama fervently continued her persuasion.

"Originally, the tax increase policy issued by the provisional government was the origin of this matter. Could you withdraw at least that?"
"We can't. The effects of the eruption are enormous. Recovery takes money"
"If that is the case, should the n.o.bility not take the responsibility?"
"In what way aren't we taking the responsibility. The tax increase includes n.o.bility"

However, the tax rate is the same as for commoners.
The effect is biggest on the finances of commoners.

"Father… The n.o.bles owe everything to the people?"
"Wrong, the people owe everything to the n.o.bles"

Hearing what Dor-sama a.s.serted, disappointment appeared on Claire-sama's face.
There's nothing more to talk about.

"Inform the revolutionary government. Know your place"

"Rei said I would need to tread a fine line, but it is beyond fine…"

Her room in the dormitory.
Claire-sama groaned so and flopped on the bed.

"The gap between the both parties is too wide. Is there truly a way to reach a compromise…?"

It's unusual for the stubborn Claire-sama to complain.
The negotiations were just that difficult.

"There may not be, but in that case――"
"I understand. There will be a military conflict. I want to avoid that alone… Rei, hey"

Claire-sama beckoned me.
What is it?

"Jeez~~~! They are grown-ups, yet they are only saying selfish things~~~!"

As I approached, I was clung to, and without a pause hugged with all her strength.
Just like a hug pillow.

"C, Claire-sama, I'm happy, but it's painful"
"Ki~~~!"

I was treated as a toy like this for three minutes.
I got stained… Sniff… Ehehe.

"The negotiations have only just begun. Let's persevere"
"That is right. Rei, I have become thirsty. Could I ask you to make tea"
"Certainly"

In accordance with Claire-sama's words, I headed towards the kitchen.

"Well, I'm sorry Claire-sama, but… no matter how much you persevere, it will be useless"

I muttered something like this.

The LN is finally out. Please consider supporting Inori-sensei and buying it.